198016418-1-4-2024-33-CC-ACHO-D284CK-20240206175917

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198016418
Report Date: 01/04/2024
Date Signed: 01/04/2024 12:17:43 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/07/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Carolyn Tuba

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20231107100019

FACILITY NAME:	BRIGHT STAR MONTESSORI ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	198016418
ADMINISTRATOR:	SAMANTHA LEPP		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	800 FRANCESCA DR.		TELEPHONE:	(626) 839-0822
CITY:	WALNUT	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91789
CAPACITY:	126	CENSUS: 80	DATE:	01/04/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:30 AM
MET WITH:	Samantha Lepp		TIME COMPLETED:	12:20 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff did not prevent a child from being hit by other children in care.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 1/4/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Carolyn Tuba conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings of the above allegation. A Covid risk assessment was conducted when entering the facility. LPA met with Director, Samantha Lepp, who guided LPA on a tour of the facility. There was a total of 80 children present with 10 staff.

LPA conducted interviews and reviewed records on 11/13/2023, and 12/7/2023. LPA interviewed Reporting Party (RP). LPA conducted interviews with Director, Staff #1 (S1), #2 (S2), #3 (S3), Witness #1 (W1), Parent #1 (P1), #2 (P2), #3 (P3), Child #2 (C2), #3 (C3), #4 (C4), and #5 (C5). Child #1 (C1) was unavailable to interview.

The complaint alleges that Staff did not prevent a child from being hit by other children in care.

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Ana Chico	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3374
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carolyn Tuba	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3350
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/04/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/04/2024

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 33-CC-20231107100019

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR MONTESSORI ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198016418
	VISIT DATE: 01/04/2024

NARRATIVE

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According to (S1), and (S3) the day of the incident, October 30, 2023 (S1) and (S3) did not observe any incident of (C1) being hurt by other children except for an incident when C1 was accidently scratched but was reported to parent verbally and by an incident report that was signed by parent. S1 did state that S2 and S3 are very patient with C1 and that the age group they work (3-year-olds) they are learning to communicate and share.

According to (S2), staff observed on October 30, 2023, other children attempting to tap their feet towards (C1) as they were on the play structure located on the playground. C1 was standing below the children and S2 saw the incident and spoke to the children that they should keep their feet to themselves. S2 stated that C1 was a sweet child but often had a difficult time-sharing toys with other children.

There were no disclosures made by C2, and C3. According to C4 and C5 they stated that C1 would sometimes hit and would not share toys with them.

According W1 they observed on October 30, 2023, that C1 was being hurt by other children by kicking their feet and hitting C1’s head from an apparatus outside on the playground. Also, C1 was hit by another child on the head by a cup and that C1 was not provoking the incident. W1 stated that staff intervened but felt that staff did not prevent C1 from being hurt.

LPA interviewed P1, P2 and P3 and there were no disclosures made.

During the course of interviews and records reviewed and based on the evidence obtained during the course of the investigation, the evidence does not support, nor disprove the above allegation that Staff did not prevent a child from being hit by other children in care. Therefore, the allegation has been determined to be unsubstantiated. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred.

An exit interview conducted with Director, Samantha Lepp, a copy of this report was provided, as well as Notice of Site Visit provided and shall be posted for 30 days in an area accessible for review.

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SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Ana Chico	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3374
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carolyn Tuba	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3350
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/04/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/04/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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